By Miriam Raftery

Map, left:: Proposed Congressional districts (View full size)

November 12, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) – Every 10 years, political districts at all levels undergo redrawing district boundaries to reflect demographic changes reported in Census data.  A statewide commission this week released preliminary maps of Congressional, State Assembly and State Senate districts, which must be finalized by Dec. 7.  In addition, a county commission meets Nov. 13 to consider draft maps for Supervisorial districts.

Some East County leaders have voiced concerned over certain proposed maps that if approved, could divide East County, lumping communities such as Lakeside in with coastal areas and some places in with communities in other counties. Opponents include the Lakeside Chamber Commerce, which supports alternative maps.

The stated intent, per the law, is to focus on trying to keep communities together based on factors including shared cultural, ethnic, geographic or economic concerns, voting rights and more.  All districts must be approximately equal in populations, be contiguous with compact shapes to avoid gerrymandering and try to keep cities, towns and communities together.

November 11, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) - East County Magazine's World Watch helps you be an informed citizen on important issues globally and nationally. As part of our commitment to reflect all voices and views, we include links to a variety of news sources representing a broad spectrum of political, religious, and social views. Top world and U.S. headlines include:

U.S.

• IRS says it's boosting tax brackets due to faster inflation (CBS News)
• Appeals court temporarily halts Biden vaccine mandate for larger businesses  (NPR)
• For 187 harrowing minutes, the president watched his supporters attack the Capitol — and resisted pleas to stop them.  (Washington Post)
• A girl was rescued by police after she used a distress signal popularized on TikTok (NPR)
• 'Must Be Eliminated': Trump Republicans Vow to Oust GOP Members Who Voted for Infrastructure (Newsweek)
• A White hospital executive says he was fired and replaced by 2 women as part of a diversity push. He sued and was just awarded $10 million (CNN)

WORLD

• COP26: World leaders promise to end deforestation by 2030 (BBC)
• Iraqi PM chairs security meeting after drone attack on residence (Reuters)
• US, Russia, China and Pakistan meet to discuss Afghanistan as humanitarian crisis deepens (CNN)
• Brazilian commission votes in favor of recommending criminal charges against Bolsonaro (CNN)

For excerpts and links to full stories, click “read more” and scroll down.

East County News Service

Photo: S. Harris Communications has a mission to serve businesses, nonprofits and individuals who have struggled with a media presence.  According to Harris, the company is believed to be the only Black-owned communications firm locally.

November 11, 2021 (San Diego) -- Rev. Shane Harris, a national civil rights activist and President of the People's Association of Justice Advocates, recently announced that he is entering into private sector business with the launch of S Harris Communications.  With the new endeavor, Harris says he aims to take skills he learned as a young activist in developing an “unorthodox communications strategy” into the private sector to train creators, nonprofits and businesses who have struggled to build their communications strategies and are historically left out of being covered in the media.

Suspect has long history of violent crimes and had been released early after his most recent conviction

East County News Service

November 11, 2021 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police seek public help to locate Israel Ezekiel Valdiva, who is wanted for savagely stabbing a man in his 70s near the trolley stop at Marshall and Petree. The unprovoked random attack on November 3 shortly after 5 a.m. was recorded on surveillance video at the trolley station.

“The victim had numerous life-threatening stab wounds and had been severely slashed across his face. The victim’s ear was nearly severed off and he had lost a significant amount of blood. The victim was transported to a local trauma center in critical condition,” says Lieutenant Randy Soulard.

East County News Service

Photo via Ryan Casey Aguinaldo, CC by SA 4.0

November 11, 2021 (San Diego) - Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. earned his second Silver Slugger award today, MLB.com reports.

By Miriam Raftery

November 11, 2021 (San Diego) – San  Diego County Supervisor Jim Desmond spoke with East County Magazine via Zoom last week over his concerns about SANDAG’s planned mileage tax and its disparate impact on rural, mountain and desert residents whose communities are not slated for transit projects that the tax would fund, along with limited other transportation projects. The interview originally aired on KNSJ radio and can now be viewed by clicking the video on the left. 

He also talked about other proposed taxes ranging from a sales tax increase to toll roads in our region. These include:

• A state fee of 2.3 cents for every mile driven, plus a 2 cent per mile local fee that SANDAG wants to impose countywide. (4.3 cents total)
• Another ½ cent sales tax beginning 2024 (in addition to a ½ cent tax from 2008)
• An Metropolitan Transit System tax for everyone who lives in the MTS area
• A new fee for using a ride hailing company such as UBER or LYFT: $1.25/solo ride $.65/carpool ride
• Changing 819 lane miles of San Diego’s freeways into toll lanes
  

East County News Service

November 10, 2021 (El Cajon) -- Beauty abounds at The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College in Rancho San Diego, where the Fall Garden Festival will be held on November 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The event includes fall plant sales, educational talks, and tours to help you get planting for the season.

East County News Service

November 10, 2021 (El Cajon) – El Cajon Police responded to reports of a shooting near 200 South Mollision at 4:27 p.m. yesterday. The caller reported hearing a gunshot, then seeing a woman running from the area.

“Officers arrived on the scene and located the victim, who had been shot in the upper back near the shoulder,” says Lt. Jeremiah Larson. “Shortly after, officers were able to detain the suspect as he was walking away from his apartment where the shooting took place. The suspect and the victim are currently in a relationship and live together.” 

The victim was transported to the hospital and is expected to survive. The suspect, a 32 year old El Cajon resident, was arrested without incident. 

By Mike Allen

November 9, 2021 (Santee) -- A few years ago, Santee and other cities in San Diego County were flooded by electric-bike businesses whose products were strewn about, creating sidewalk congestion and possible liability problems.  In response, Santee and other cities enacted restrictions to the new bikes and scooters, requiring the businesses to enter into clearly defined contracts.

The Aztecs hit 13 three-pointers, their most in nearly four years

Source:  goaztecs.com

Photo courtesy goaztecs.com

November 9, 2021 (San Diego) - The Aztecs women’s basketball team knocked off Cal State Los Angeles 72-57 Tuesday afternoon in their season opener inside Viejas Arena. SDSU hit 13 three-pointers, their most in a game since Dec. 10, 2017, and were paced by Sophia Ramos’ 21 points.

Deadline Nov. 14 (4:59pm) to send in comments for Nov. 16 forum

https://forms.office.com/g/nTtj9mtqpY

By: Chuck Westerheid, County of San Diego Communications Office

November 9, 2021 (San Diego County Administration Building) - The TRUTH Act community forum including a report from the Sheriff’s Department will be held November 16, 2021, during the County of San Diego Board of Supervisors’ meeting, which is open to the public.

East County News Service

November 8, 2021 (San Diego’s East County) - This week’s Destination East County ushers in the holiday season with a wealth of holiday happenings and other special events across San Diego’s inland region.

Scroll down for all of these events and many more!

East County News Service

November 8, 2021 (Lemon Grove) – Sheriff’s deputies responding to a call reporting a shooting near Blossom Lane and Washington Street in Lemon Grove this morning at 10:15 a.m. found an unoccupied truck with multiple bullet holes in its side. The truck had struck a curb, causing a tire to go flat.  A 29-year-old victim later arrived at a hospital suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg.

“The gunshot wound did not appear to be life-threatening and the victim is currently listed in stable condition,” says Sergeant Pat Fox.

East County News Service

November 8, 2021 (San Diego) – The San Diego Concert Band will have two performances of its “Holiday Reunion” concert feature Barbara Allen as guest vocalist. The concerts will be held December 7th and 8th at 7 p.m. in the Joan B. Kroc Theatre for the Performing Arts, 6611 University Avenue in San Diego (just one block west of La Mesa).

Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for seniors, military and students, and free for children age 5 and under.

For tickets and more information, visit www.SanDiegoConcertBand.com.